Reflection on Kashmir Day

Although the Kashmir Solidarity Day is celebrated on February 5 every year, on both sides of Line of Control to pledge support to the people of Kashmir for their struggle for self-determination according to the UNSC Resolution last Thursday, there was a marked difference from the past in many ways.
First and foremost factors providing an impetus to the urgency for an early solution of the problem pending with the UN was the presence in Islamabad of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. This was historic in the sense that, it was the first visit of any UN secretary-general to Islamabad and New Delhi since the passing of the resolution on Kashmir in 1949.
I am not sure whether Ban Ki-Moon was aware of the Day falling on the eve of his visit or was it just a coincidence. Be that as it may, the visit could have been turned into a God given opportunity, to focus on the early solution of the Kashmir problem which is blocking not only peace in South Asia but is also threatening global peace.
As far as the rank and file of the common man is concerned, various political and religious parties as well as social organisations organised rallies, seminars and public meetings to express their solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Special prayers were offered by several organisations for those who had lost their lives during their struggle against the tyranny of the brutal occupation by the Indian army.
The blood bath, loot and rape in IHK is beyond description. Yet this unprecedented saga of horror and human violations spread over 60 years, has failed to stir the conscious of the international community and above all the UN.
Moreover, the situation in Afghanistan, FATA in particular and the recent standoff between India and Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks have compelled the international community and the Obama administration that normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan is not possible without a just solution of the Kashmir problem according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people. The present global situation and particularly the current environment in our region has brought about this change of strategic assessment of the regional problem. In contrast, till recently the international community, brushed aside the Kashmir problem, as a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, to be settled under the Simla Agreement.